KINGSTON \u2014 The October breakfast of the Ulster Regional Chamber of Commerce became a deep dive into New York\u2019s century-old water infrastructure \u2014 a 570-billion-gallon network now undergoing a multiyear $30 billion modernization.<\/p>\n
John Milgrim, director of External Affairs for the New York City Department of Environmental Protection\u2019s Bureau of Water Supply, delivered a sweeping overview of the gravity-fed system that provides drinking water to half the state\u2019s population \u2014 including New York City, parts of New Jersey, and even Philadelphia.<\/p>\n
Water from the Hudson Valley and Catskills delivers about 400 billion gallons a year through 19 reservoirs across eight counties. The system\u2019s two main conduits \u2014 the 92-mile Catskill Aqueduct and 85-mile Delaware Aqueduct \u2014 carry up to 100 percent of New York City\u2019s supply.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are no pumps in the system,\u201d Milgrim said. \u201cIt all runs on gravity, flowing under the Hudson River through aqueducts built more than 100 years ago \u2014 one of which remains the longest continuous tunnel in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
DEP tests the water three million times a year using robotic buoys and digital sensors. It is also Ulster County\u2019s largest taxpayer, paying $28 million annually, and employs more than 200 local workers. \u201cThe employees we have range from biologists to lawyers to land planners, vehicle operators, police officers,\u201d Milgrim said. \u201cTheir primary responsibility is protecting the water supply system and infrastructure.\u201d<\/p>\n
Major capital projects include a $1.3 billion overhaul of the Ashokan Reservoir \u2014 \u201cthe largest capital construction project in the Catskills in generations,\u201d Milgrim said \u2014 featuring new gates, valves, and a wider dividing-weir bridge.<\/p>\n
\u201cUltimately, it is going to be over a decade worth of capital work. It is estimated right now, and numbers change, $1.3 billion, hundreds of jobs,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Other projects include the $2 billion Delaware Aqueduct Bypass Tunnel near Newburgh, the $2 billion Kensico\u2013Eastview Connection Tunnel in Westchester, and a $1.2 billion, 25-year upgrade to the Hillview Reservoir in Yonkers to meet EPA mandates.<\/p>\n
When Chamber President Ward Todd asked whether the projects would bring local jobs, Milgrim confirmed that contractors are encouraged to hire regional tradespeople.<\/p>\n
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